EDUCATION inspectors have deemed that Stoke Climsland Primary School requires improvement after highlighting inconsistencies in teaching and a lack of effectiveness in raising pupils’ achievement.

The smaller than average primary school of 189 pupils was praised for pupils’ behaviour, attitude and its good range of after-school clubs, music provision and breadth of learning but the latest Ofsted report also highlighted pupils’ progress in Key Stage 1 as too slow despite children getting off to a good start in the early years.

Achievement of the most able pupils across the school was considered not high enough yet pupils’ progress in English and maths across Key Stage 2 was accelerating, said the report.

The governing body was relatively new following the federation of Calstock and Stoke Climsland primary schools last year and was only beginning to challenge leaders about pupils’ progress and the quality of teaching.

Teaching was deemed to be too variable. The work teachers’ plan did not always match pupils’ abilities and expectations of pupils’ progress was often too low. Marking also lacked the vigour needed to help pupils to improve their work.

The report said that the school’s work to keep pupils safe and secure was good and year 6 pupils said that staff took good care of them. They also said they enjoyed school very much. Pupils also knew about staying safe on the internet.

There had been no exclusions or behaviour incidents in the last few years and this was due to the good quality of support that was provided to pupils, said the inspectors.

Staff worked extremely well with parents, keeping them fully informed about their children’s progress.

Chairman of governors Mark Whittaker said concerns and complaints had been raised by the governors over the Ofsted process and these were still ongoing but he added: ’Despite concerns raised over the process, the senior leadership team, supported by the governors, has reviewed, planned and is taking action on areas identified for improvement.

’We recognise the validity of some of the points made in the report, which are already in our school development plan. We want to move forward and continue to make Stoke a safe and enjoyable school in which children can learn successfully.’